Going-private seen as option for CanWest: report

TORONTO (Reuters) - CanWest Global Communications Corp (CGS.TO) is considering a range of options that could include taking itself private with the help of major shareholder Fairfax Financial (FFH.TO) Holdings Inc, Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper said on Saturday.

The newspaper quoted "people familiar with the situation" as saying that the idea had been pitched to Fairfax, which owns almost 19 percent of CanWest's outstanding stock.

"No deal is imminent and a privatization may not be the favored option," the newspaper said.

CanWest owns Global TV as well as specialty television stations in Canada, the National Post newspaper and regional papers. Its shares have fallen steeply in the last 18 months, amid concern about high debt levels and a softening economy.

The newspaper quoted Fairfax CEO Prem Watsa as saying Fairfax viewed its CanWest stake as a long-term investment and he was not aware of plans to privatize CanWest. CanWest would not comment.

(Reporting by Janet Guttsman)